Soldiers of the WorldIndian army soldiers perform Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian gymnastics on a vertical wooden pole during a rehearsal for Victory Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The Indian Army celebrates Victory Day on December 16, to commemorate its military victory over Pakistan in 1971.

Soldiers of the World

An Afghan National Army cadet takes cover on the edge of a hill as he prepares to offer cover with his M-40 machine gun, armed with blanks, during a Taliban capture military exercise, overseen by French and Canadian soldiers, at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) on November 13, 2012 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The ANA with approximately 195,000 soldiers is experiencing difficult times, as about a third of the Afghan army is lost each year to desertion and low re-enlistment rates, news sources report. Additional vetting has been introduced since recent attacks on Western soldiers by members of the Afghan military. Deserters offer numerous reasons for leaving before their service is over: corruption, poor food and equipment, and Taliban intimidation of their families. The Kabul Military Training Center, conducts training between 10-24 weeks to prepare recruits for service.

Soldiers of the WorldNorth Korean soldiers attend a mass rally organized to celebrate the success of a rocket launch that sent a satellite into space on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. As the U.S. led international condemnation of what it calls a covert test of missile technology, top North Korean officials denied the allegations and maintained the country's right to develop its space program.

Soldiers of the WorldEgyptian army engineers and soldiers build a third line of concrete blocks outside of the Egyptian presidential palace in Cairo on December 9, 2012. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi backed down in a political crisis marked by weeks of street protests, after the powerful army gave an ultimatum to him and the opposition to hold talks.

Soldiers of the WorldGerman Bundeswehr army soldiers prepare a barbecue during a Christmas market at their combat outpost OP North, near Baghlan, northern Afghanistan December 9, 2012. German soldiers will celebrate their last Christmas at their combat outpost OP North this year before it is removed in 2013.

Soldiers of the WorldEgyptian army soldiers stand guard during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist president were flocking to key locations in the nation's capital ahead of rival mass rallies Tuesday, four days before a nationwide referendum on a contentious draft constitution.

Soldiers of the WorldSoldiers stand guard by their armored vehicle in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. The Egyptian military on Monday assumed joint responsibility with the police for security and protecting state institutions until the results of a Dec. 15 constitutional referendum are announced.

Soldiers of the WorldIndian army soldiers perform a drill during a rehearsal for Victory Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The Indian Army celebrates Victory Day on December 16, to commemorate its military victory over Pakistan in 1971.

Soldiers of the WorldNorth Koreans attend a rally to celebrate the successful launch of the Unha-3 (Milky Way 3) rocket, which carried the second version of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite, in Pyongyang, in this picture released by Kyodo December 14, 2012. When North Korea's Kim Jong-un commemorates a year of his rule next week, he will be able to declare he has fulfilled the country's long-held dream of becoming a "space powerhouse". In a mass parade in Pyongyang on Friday, tens of thousands of soldiers dressed in olive green and standing in serried ranks, as well as bareheaded civilians, celebrated this week's successful rocket launch, hailing Kim's "victory".

Soldiers of the WorldIndian infantry soldiers and the President's Body Guards in ceremonial attire take part in the "Change of guard" ceremony in front of the main entrance of the "Rashtrapati Bhavan" or the Presidential Palace, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. The ceremony has now been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and public friendly, a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release said. The Presidential Palace, designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1929, was formerly the Governor General s house and is now the official residence of the President of India, who holds a largely ceremonial role.

Soldiers of the WorldArmed Forces of Malta soldiers take part in a military parade to mark Malta's Republic Day in Valletta December 13, 2012. Malta, a former British colony, became a republic in 1974, 10 years after gaining independence.

Soldiers of the WorldIndian army soldiers perform Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian gymnastics on a vertical wooden pole during a rehearsal for Victory Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The Indian Army celebrates Victory Day on December 16, to commemorate its military victory over Pakistan in 1971.

Soldiers of the WorldFrench soldiers listen to unseen French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian at Paphos airport in Cyprus in December 8, 2012 before leaving for France. Le Drian today welcomed some 150 French soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

Soldiers of the WorldA German Bundeswehr army soldier kicks a ball during a Christmas market at their combat outpost OP North, near Baghlan, northern Afghanistan December 9, 2012. German soldiers will celebrate their last Christmas at their combat outpost OP North this year before it is removed in 2013.

Soldiers of the WorldIsraeli soldiers take position during clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron December 13, 2012. The clashes broke out before the funeral of Palestinian teenager Mohamad Salaymeh who was shot dead by Israeli troops on Wednesday after he threatened them with what appeared to be a pistol, but which may not have been a real weapon, according to a police spokesman.

Soldiers of the WorldEgyptian soldiers stand guard near the presidential palace in Cairo on December 13, 2012. Egypt's crisis showed no sign of easing as the army delayed unity talks meant to ease political divisions and the opposition set near-impossible demands for taking part in a looming constitutional referendum.

Soldiers of the WorldChinese military personnel attend a a ceremony for victims on the 75th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre at the Memorial Museum in Nanjing on December 13, 2012. Air raid sirens sounded in the Chinese city of Nanjing on December 13 as it marked the 75th anniversary of the mass killing and rape committed there by Japanese soldiers -- with the Asian powers' ties at a deep low.

Soldiers of the WorldSouth Korean soldiers wait for their colleagues after casting their absentee votes for the presidential election at a local polling station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. South Korea's presidential election is scheduled for Dec. 19.

Soldiers of the WorldSEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 13: South Korean soldiers queue up to cast their absentee ballots for new President in a polling station on December 13, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea. South Koreans vote in the presidential election on December 19.

Soldiers of the WorldSoldiers of the Somali National Army (SNA) drive through the centre of the town of Jawhar in Middle Shabelle region, north of the Somali capital Mogadishu December 10, 2012, in this handout photo released December 12, 2012. SNA forces, supported by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), captured the town of Jawhar, 90 km (56 miles) north of Mogadishu, on December 9 from al Shabaab, a Somalia-based al Qaeda affiliate, according to local media.

Soldiers of the World

Afghan National Army officer cadets participate in a Taliban capture military exercises, overseen by French and Canadian soldiers, at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) on November 13, 2012 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Kabul Military Training Center, located 8 miles east of Kabul, is a local training centre for the Afghan armed forces.

Soldiers of the WorldFemale members of the Yemeni security forces attend a conference on restructuring the country's armed forces in the capital Sanaa on December 11, 2012. A major offensive launched by the Yemeni army against Al-Qaeda following the assassination of a top officer has killed at least 24 people, including 17 soldiers, a military official said on December 11.

Soldiers of the WorldPeoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers rehearse for ceremonies to commemorate victims on the eve of the Nanjing massacre anniversary, at the Memorial Museum in Nanjing on December 12, 2012. The museum will mark the 75th anniversary of the massacre on December 13, which stands as the Japanese military's worst atrocity and remains a bitter strain on the two countries' relationship.

Soldiers of the WorldGraffiti depicting Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi as a pharaoh and Arabic that reads, "void, no to the Muslim Brotherhood constitution, down," covers a wall as Egyptian army soldiers stand guard as protesters gather in front of the presidential palace during a demonstration, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist president staged rival rallies in the nation's capital Tuesday, four days ahead a nationwide referendum on a contentious draft constitution.

Soldiers of the WorldEgyptian soldiers stand in line as anti President Mohamed Morsi protesters stand on top of a barricade erected by the Egyptian army to protect the Presidential Palace in Cairo on December 11, 2012. Protesters gathered in Cairo for rival rallies over a deeply disputed constitutional referendum proposed by Egypt's Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, raising fears of street clashes.

Soldiers of the WorldLebanese army soldiers deploy at the entrance of Tripoli's Bab al-Tebbaneh mainly Sunni Muslim neighbourhood, on December 10, 2012, as Lebanese armed forces entered the areas of clashes between Sunni Muslims and Alawite co-religionists of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the northern city. The December 9 sectarian clashes, linked to the 21-month conflict in Syria, killed six people and wounded 40, a security official said.

Soldiers of the WorldSoldiers stand guard on top a tank in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15.

Soldiers of the WorldA member of the Afghan local police (C) looks on as German Bundeswehr army soldiers with Alpha company of the Quick Reaction Unit (QRU) monitor the area in the small village of Qeysar Kheyl, during a mission near Baghlan, northern Afghanistan, December 7, 2012.

Soldiers of the WorldNew recruits of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) march during a passing out parade ceremony in Humhama, on the outskirts of Srinagar, India, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. A total 365 recruits formally inducted into the BSF, will join Indian soldiers fighting separatist Islamic guerrillas in Kashmir to help end an insurgency that started in 1989.

Soldiers of the World

Indian army soldiers perform Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian gymnastics on a vertical wooden pole during a rehearsal for Victory Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The Indian Army celebrates Victory Day on December 16, to commemorate its military victory over Pakistan in 1971.